Street Cleaning

Street cleanliness is a problem in Bath for residents, visitors and businesses.

It includes litter and cigarette butts, seagull nuisance and the need for better sweeping and pavement washing.   The Council's own statistics show that the problem is worst in the centre of Bath.

Using the framework of the Bath City Liaison Forum, FoBRA called for a 'task and finish group' to review street cleaning operations in the city of Bath. This joint Council/residents group was chaired by one of our members, Gerald Chown.

The group reported in June 2009 with proposals for:

• Revised cleaning zones to focus effort more closely on areas of need;
• New cleaning standards based on what residents can reasonably expect;
• Advice on low-carbon, low-noise equipment to replace the Council's current outdated fleet;
• More efficient organisation and methods for the cleaning staff.
• A programme of public engagement with residents, visitors and businesses to reduce littering at source.

The group believes that a virtuous circle can be developed: cleaner streets are less likely to be littered, so less cleaning will be required, so efficiency savings can be delivered.

The Council has accepted the Group's recommendations in full, and is now progressively implementing them, as resources permit.